Its just cricketing slang, says Hussain

Former England cricket captain Nasser Hussain says he is amazed to learn that his "donkey" remark caused a furore in India.

Former England cricket captain Nasser Hussain says he is amazed to learn that his "donkey" remark caused a furore in India.

"There are one or two donkeys" still in the side, Hussain had said while commentating on the Indian fielding.

The remark drew severe criticism from several former Indian cricketers and prompted an irate Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take up the matter with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Hussain said "donkey" is a common cricketing slang in England.

"I don't want to say too much about this because I have found the reaction amazing. I just can't believe the fuss over what is a bit of cricket slang. It is a term I used all the time when I was a captain. Nothing personal was intended," The Daily Mail on Thursday quoted Hussain as saying.

Hussain had come up with the remark while commentating in the one-off Twenty20 between the two sides at Old Trafford last month.

"I would say the difference between the two sides is the fielding. England are all-round a good fielding side. I do believe that India have few...3 or 4 very good fielders and one or two donkeys in the field still," he had said.